Gilles Grimon

Gilles Grimon | Dryada | 2024

You mentioned that your work focuses on light and color. Can you describe how you develop this sense of “vibration” in your portraits?

I paint the same portrait three or four times. With each layer of color, I change the graphic pattern and the color itself, using complementary colors (such as purple and green) with the same luminous intensity.

The contrast between these colors and graphic elements creates an optical vibration that brings the painting to life.

Your portraits combine realism with abstract graphic patterns. What is the relationship between these two elements in your work?

As with the colors, the contrast between the realism of the portrait and the graphic abstraction of the patterns doesn’t overwhelm the image — on the contrary, it adds volume. I would say: a third dimension.

Do you see your art as emotional, intellectual, or sensory in nature — or a blend of all three?

A bit of all three, I guess!

Gilles Grimon | Neo | 2024

How important is the viewer’s movement or angle in experiencing the full effect of your paintings?

From a distance, the image appears coherent — you see a portrait. The closer you get to the canvas, the more you discover the complexity of the patterns and colors.

What role does digital technique or design play in the creation of your pieces, if any?

I don’t use digital techniques. I draw with charcoal and paint in oil. Very old school, I know!

Is there a recurring theme or mood that you aim to convey across your portrait series?

Looking at my work is a sensory, optical experience. I hope it’s also a playful one. People often tell me they discover new things, new details, each time they look at my paintings.

How do your travels and time living in cities like Paris, London, and Milan influence your artistic vision?

For an artist, it’s always exciting to engage with contemporary art being created all over the world. In this regard, London was an amazing experience. Today, I live in Provence, where artists of all nationalities are everywhere — and the light is truly incomparable.